What pre-trip inspection items must be checked on a school bus?

The correct response involves checking brakes, lights, tires, and mirrors during a pre-trip inspection of a school bus. This combination of items is critical for ensuring the safety and operational integrity of the vehicle before it is driven.

Brakes are essential for stopping safely and efficiently, making them a top priority in any vehicle inspection. Lights, including headlights, tail lights, and turn signals, are crucial for visibility and communication with other road users, especially in varying conditions and during early morning or late afternoon hours when school buses are most often in operation. Tires are vital for maintaining proper traction, handling, and overall vehicle stability, so their condition must be thoroughly checked. Additionally, mirrors are important for providing the driver with a clear view of the surrounding environment, which is particularly necessary when monitoring the safety of children boarding or alighting from the bus.

Other combinations of items in different options do not address the full set of critical areas that need to be inspected. Some options might include less relevant items or omit essential safety features, making them less suitable for ensuring a safe and compliant operation of a school bus.